Q. Good day, Cdott! We appreciate you taking the time to speak with us. The first thing we want to know is How did you get into making music?
A. I was always around music growing up, mainly because of my pops. He had us listening to all types—trap music, gospel, R&B, pop—sometimes it was all different things. I remember he had all of us—me and my two brothers, Dre and Kam—doing something. Dre had the drums, I learned the keyboards (but barely), and Kam played the bongos. Fast forward a little, the music I was listening to around that time was Jay-Z, Rick Ross, French Montana, Migos, Cash Out, Future, A$AP, Kendrick (the old one), 50 Cent, and everybody popping during the late 2000s–2010s. My dad was always into everything that dropped, so being with him, we were always hearing the new music. His favorites were Migos and Young Thug.
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But fast forward to 2022, I was getting into a lot of altercations and situations. I ended up meeting a girl and living with her for two months because my mom kicked me out over a disagreement we had—which I was in the wrong for. Shortly after being kicked out, I was chilling with my boy Christian, my brudda, at his family friend’s corner store. Then suddenly, a guy named Ray, who does construction, came in. He was telling us about life, what we could do better, saving money—all that. Basically, an OG giving game out. He showed me my first mil in a bank account on his phone, and he didn’t even look like it. That shit was legit.
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But then the convo got personal. He started explaining my whole life in front of me—from my past to my future. There was a lot to talk about in that conversation, but the last thing he said to me was, “Whatever you’re doing in life, keep doing music.” At the time, I didn’t know what it meant, and I was tripping because he was explaining my whole life, and I didn’t even know dude. But I definitely listened to what he said.
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Next thing you know, going into my third month with the girl, she hit me with an unexpected breakup—after I pampered her and all that. The same day I left her house, I knew the energy was off. I asked her about it multiple times. Something was off. Got the text a couple of hours later. That night, I ended up writing my first song. After writing it and going over it, I realized—damn, I can actually write. Bars and all. I recorded that song that weekend. Then I heard the outcome, saw the potential in myself, and ran with it. Never looked back. Bought my studio equipment a month later, reunited with my brother, made peace, and now we’re flowing, making something out of nothing feel me?
Q. Who are your musical influences and why?
A. First NBA Youngboy, I say him—not just because he’s one of the biggest, most influential, and most talented artists—but because it goes deeper for me. Around the time he came out, I was going back and forth from Connecticut to South Carolina, where my dad and the rest of his family lived at the time. Everybody down there was listening to YoungBoy. He was the hottest thing then and still is to this day. Ever since 38 Baby, I’ve been a fan. Not just because his music is good, but because I can relate to him and his stories. Not every one of them, but most. That’s why I listen to him more than others—he speaks the real.
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My other musical influence I would say is Big Scarr because he showed me that you can come from nothing and make it out—make millions off music while being creative and having fun with it. Watching him drop his first song and then become part of Gucci’s label 1017 was motivational for me. I saw his first music video, and the next thing you know, he was signed. That showed me anybody can do this with the right talent. But it wasn’t just that—it was his personality, the way he kept it real in his songs. That’s what gravitated me toward his music.
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Lastly Key Glock & Young Dolph I put these two together because their duo reminds me of me and my brother when we hop on a track. They accomplished a lot as a team. Another reason is that they brought a different perspective to music—how to make songs not just for the Black community, but for White, Hispanic, Asian audiences too. They showed that you can use different beats while keeping your flow and creativity. Plus, I could relate to their music, especially from my time down South—seeing that culture, knowing it was different from Connecticut. My other influences are national generational talents like Kanye West, 50 Cent, Lil Boosie, Rick Ross, Gucci Mane, etc.
Q. What has been your biggest career highlight so far?
A. One was when Lil Meech got back to me about my music and told me, “Higher-ups are watching. Keep going.” Yeah, I wanted to work with him more and talk things out, but that little advice meant a lot. That’s why I stay motivated—I know I’ma make something out of this music. The second was my first show last year, set up through my cousins and my uncle B. We had 10-minute sets per artist. Man, I rocked that stage for my first time. But being there and having that opportunity let me connect with different artists, engineers, and producers from my state.
Q. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A. Owning multiple businesses, Getting my label FTB signed under MTB, then going back to my city, bringing up other artists, and showing love—giving others a chance that I never got. Making a change in the world—showing people it’s okay to show love, to forgive, to put the guns down. Yeah, I can’t control everything, but I know speaking up, starting organizations, fundraisers, and charity events will help make a change. Giving back more than I get—to my community, the homeless, my family, my friends. I know giving back goes a long way, and you receive random blessings from God by doing so. There’s a lot I see myself doing in the next five years, but I’m more of a “I’ll show you better than I tell you” person.
Q. What Is One Message You Have for Your Fans and Supporters.
A. Just stay tuned for the ride. Sit back and enjoy it. There’s gonna be a lot of ups and downs, misunderstandings, and setbacks on the way up. But one thing I’ve always promised myself and everybody else—I ain’t doing this music for the money. I use this to express my pain, everything I went through. Also, to expose all the fake and unreal ways people have gained over the years. I only look to keep it real with you and bring back a fun, enjoyable perspective to music. I want to make timeless, euphoric music, music that can be played anytime, anywhere, and still sound new for all ages.
